The Royal Navy has tracked a Russian destroyer and two support vessels through the English Channel during a five-day operation designed to safeguard UK waters.
Portsmouth-based patrol vessel HMS Trent shadowed the Russian destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov as it sailed westward off Great Yarmouth before linking up with two tankers near Ushant, off the coast of Brittany. The Russian ships then turned east through the Channel, closely monitored by the Royal Navy.
A Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, operating out of Yeovilton, later joined the operation to provide aerial surveillance. Equipped with advanced sensors, the aircraft tracked the Russian vessels while NATO allies carried out simultaneous monitoring of the tankers.
The Ministry of Defence said the mission formed part of the government’s “Plan for Change” – a strategy to protect national security and reinforce the UK’s maritime integrity.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard praised the Navy’s vigilance:
> “Russian warships are increasingly sailing through the English Channel, and the Royal Navy stands ready to monitor them, safeguarding our waters and undersea cables. The Navy’s professionalism is vital to protecting the UK, and the government remains committed to equipping our Armed Forces to keep us secure at home and strong abroad.”
HMS Trent recently returned to the UK after four years operating in the Mediterranean and West Africa, as well as a maintenance period in Malta. The patrol vessel is now preparing for deployment to the Caribbean later this year.
Lieutenant Commander Paul Kilbride, Executive Officer in temporary command of HMS Trent, described the operation as routine but significant:
> “This was a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of UK territorial waters. It also highlighted our interoperability with European NATO allies. I am immensely proud of my ship’s company and the professionalism they showed throughout.”
The Royal Navy confirmed that HMS Trent, the Wildcat helicopter, and other NATO warships, aircraft, and helicopters worked in coordination during the mission, providing both deterrence and reassurance amid continued Russian naval activity in European waters.
